2008 Master of Ceremonies

Ronald J. Pion M.D. draws upon significant experience in leadership roles in both public and
private companies in the healthcare arena. His track record of developing companies and
defining business strategies that break down barriers to quality patient services is
notable. He serves as a Special Advisor to the Galen Capital Group. As a physician,
visionary and business professional, Dr. Pion combines a practitioner's perspective with
healthcare industry expertise and corporate experience to provide assistance to early stage
companies.

Dr. Pion began his career in academics serving on the faculty of the University of Washington
and the University of Hawaii. Having recognized at an early stage the benefits technology
and new media bring to the practice of medicine, he became a pioneer in the area of medical
telecommunications and has worked in that arena for more than 30 years. He served as a
full-time medical correspondent for KNBC television in Los Angeles prior to founding the
Hospital Satellite Network, the nation's first daily satellite-delivered television service
providing programming for hospital-based health professionals and patients.

In 1991, Dr. Pion joined the turnaround team at ABBEY Healthcare Group and provided strategic
services to the company's private placement and IPO in 1992 and the formation of the
resulting company, Apria Healthcare which merged with Homedco in 1995. Dr. Pion is currently
Chairman of Medical Telecommunications Associates, serves on the board of AKONNI Biosystems
and is an advisor to Castle-Connolly. Dr. Pion graduated from New York University (B.A., Phi
Beta Kappa) and New York Medical College (M.D., Alpha Omega Alpha). He is a Clinical
Professor at the UCLA School of Medicine, a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists.

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